Ore-roasting furnace.



W. H. SMYTH.

ORB ROASTING PURNACE.

APPLIOATION FILED MAB.. l2, 1901..

No 101m... I 4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

-PATBNTED MAY 24, 1904.

No. i 61,049.

UNITED STATES Patented May 24, 1904.

PATENT OFFICE.

ORE-ROASTING FURNACE.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 761,049, dated May 24, 1904.

Application filed March 12, 1901. Serial No. 50,868. (No model.) v

T a/ZZ whom, t may concern.-

Be it known that I, WILLIAM H. SMYTH, a citizen of the United States, residing at Berkeley, in the county of Alameda and State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Ore-Roasting Furnaces; and I do hereby declare the Jfollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the same.

This invention relates to ore-roasting furnaces, and has for its object a simpler, cheaper, and more eflicient form of furnace than'those p at present employed.

It also has for its object to provide means in an ore-roasting furnace whereby the rabble carrying and operating mechanism is carried entirely outside the furnace, and thus protectn ed from the heat and destructive gases of the furnace.

Heretofore in ore-roasting furnaces difi'iculty has been experienced inproviding for the driving of the rabbles within the furnace by means of connections extending into the furnace through open slots, either from the exterior of the furnace or from longitudinal chambers formed in the furnace, owing to the difficulty of maintaining the sides of such slots in proper relation one to the other and to the rabble-tracks. This is due to the peculiar nature of the furnace construction itself and the excessive duty demanded from such structures under the adverse condition of high temperatures. In furnaces having a slot in their sides opening to the exterior difficulty is experienced in supporting the furnace roof or arch. Attempts have been made to avoid this difliculty by providing a slotted wall or partition within the furnace proper; but this construction has the inherent disadvantage ofY the mechanical difliculty of supporting and maintaining the upper half of such slotted wall, besides the other disadvantage of the heated-and corrosive fumes having practically free access to such corridors or chambers within the furnace. These difHculties have been partly met and overcome by slottingthe hearth'of the furnace longitudinally and carrying the rabble-supporting mechanism within a tunnel underneath the furnace. Difficulty has, however, been experienced in this class of furnace in mainv taining the slot in operative condition, owing to the closing together of the sides of the slot. Another difficulty experienced is the practically free access of cold air through the slot, causing a loss of heat, and consequent expense. This difficulty of maintaining the slot, with other mechanical diiculties, has heretofore precluded the employment of superimposed slotted furnaces.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide for and remedy the first-mentioned difliculty; also, to provide an automatic slot-closing'device which, while permitting of the free passage of the rabble-support, will close the slot and exclude the cold air and prevent the outflow of heated gases; also, to provide a construction which permits of ready access to the rabble-carriers and slot; also, to provide suitable construction whereby the rabble-carrying devices, adapted to be ernployed in the slotted-hearth type of furnace may be employed in a double or multiple hearth furnace. These objects are accomplished by the devices illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which- Figure 1 is a transverse sectional elevation of a single-hearth furnace. Fig. 2 is a transverse sectional elevation of a double-hearth furnace. Fig. 3 is a longitudinal sectional elevation of Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detail, on somewhat larger scale, showing the slot-closer. Fig. 5 is a sectional elevation of a multipleslotted-hearth furnace. Fig. 6 is a detail, on still larger scale than Fig. 4, of the slot-closer, showing a plan view of the same. Fig. 7 is a side elevation of Fig. 6. Fig. 8 is a sectional plan view of a double slotted-hearth furnace, the hearths being side by side. Fig. 9 is an elevationA of a double-hearth furnace, the hearths being superimposed. Fig. l0 is a section of one of the slot-closing plates or gates on a large scale. Fig. ll is a plan view of a portion of afurnace. Fig. 12 is a crosssection of Fig. 1l.

Referring to the drawings, I preferably construct this furnace with a metallic frame or skeleton upon which the brickwork of the furnaceis built wholly or in part. This metallic framework or skeleton consists, preferably, as shown in the drawings, of a series of frames which transversely surround and IOO tie the furnace structure together, portions of the frame forming legs or supports which raise the furnace proper from the ground, as shown in Figs. 1, 2, 3, 5, and 9.

Referring to the construction shown in Fig. 1 or single-hearth construction, 1 is a furnace having a hearth 2, provided with a slot 3. The hearth 2, as shown in Fig. 3, is supported upon a series of arches if, resting upon supports, transverse beams, or girders 5, which, if beams, are in turn supported upon suitable piers or columns 6. Upon the arch-supporting girders 5 is located track 7 for the rabblecarriage 8, which may be ofV any suitable form. It preferably consists of a truck having four wheels, with the upright'9 passing through' the slot 3 into the furnace to carry a suitable rabble-bar 10, to which rabbles'11 are attached by any of the ordinary methods. A chain, band, or rope 12, which is preferably endless, is attached tothe rabblesupporting carriage8 to cause its travel by suitable connection with a source of power. I provide a slot-closer 13, consisting, preferably, of flexible metal plates, which may be disposed scalewise, one overlapping the other along each side of the slot, touching and op-' posing each other along the line of theslot.

I do not deem it necessary to describe at length the construction or arrangement of the heating fire-boxes 14 or flues of the furnace, :as these may be of the ordinary forms and within f the knowledge of mechanics skilled in this art and not specifically'involved in this invention. Any suitable means for closing the furnace exit and entrances may be employed, such as are indicated at 21, Fig. 8.

shown in Figs. 2 and 9.v

So far as concerns the single-hearth furnace both folds of the endless band may travel in either a horizontal plane or in a vertical plane, as may be deemed expedient by the constructor or may best serve the convenience of the location of the furnace. A singlehearth furnace with both folds of the cable in a horizontal plane isillustratedin Figs.' 11

and12. With a double-deck furnace, however, I prefer to employ, as being the most economical of room, an endless band, both folds of which travel in the same vertical plane. In this class of furnace only the lower hearth is slotted, the slot in the upper fur? nace being in the roof, and 'tracks supported on cross-ties support the inverted rabble, as

rIhe twoparts of the' roof of the furnace may be supported in any` simple manner. In the present instance Iv have shown them in Fig. 2 as consisting of projections 15 from the side walls in the form of half-arches provided with longitudinal plates or girders 16, supported at intervals byf brackets 17,' suitably secured to` crossbeams 18, forminga part of the metallic skeleton of the furnace. In this case of course the rabbles would be double, extending 'on both sides ofthe rabble-bar` the tracks for the rabble-carriages beyond the furnace curvingupward and forming a/continuation into the upper furnace, as shown in Fig. 9, thus guiding the rabble-carriages, with their rabble-supporting bars, from the lower to the upper slot, and consequently the rabbles from the lower. to the upper hearth. In this form I preferably employ a single pulley in the bight of the band to transfer the rabbles from one hearth to another. This pulley is provided with one or more notches te accommodate the rabbles in passing around it, as shown in Fig. 9. Owing, however, to the method I employ of supporting the hearth by arches resting upon transverse beams, a double, triple, or multiple hearth furnace can readily be constructed by superimposing single furnaces, as shown in Fig. 1, but little room being wasted by this construction, as the piers shown in Fig. 1, would not necessarily be employed between the superimposed furnaces, as shown in Figs. 2 and 9.v That portion of the hearth which overhangs the tracks may vbe supported upon a plate or beam 19, which is in turn supported by brackets or vertical members 20'from the cross-beams 5, which form a portion of the skeleton or metallic frame of the furnace.

When a multiple-hearth furnace is employed consisting of superimposed furnaces and also furnaces side by side, I prefer to employ the slotted-hearth furnace with unslotted roof, as shown in Fig. 5, in which case the tracks for lsupporting therabblecarriage curve laterally from one furnace to its next neighbor on the same plane, as shown in Fig. 8. Thus the rabble-support on the rabble-carriage travels from the slotV ofone furnace into the slot of theadjacent furnace on the same horizontal plane and the rabbles carried thereby from one hearth to the adjacent hearth on the same plane. f

By the construction hereinbefore described it will be seen-that the rabble-carrying-mechanism is' at all times open and accessible to inspection and repair. The arrangement of the two portions of the multiple furnace, as shown,

in that the travel of the rabbles during the return half of their journey is utilized. The capacity of the furnace is thus practically doubled without anyI addition to themoving parts of the'construction, at least so far as concerns the rabbling of the ore. The multiple arrangement also permits the discharge of ore from IOO IIO

- bring about very desirable features of economy IZO tuating devices projecting through the slot and laterally-swinging plates or gates adapted to close the slot, the ends of which swing transversely across the slot.

4. A slotted-hearth furnace with rabble-actuating devices projecting through the slot and means adapted to close the slot consisting of overlapping plates.

5. A slotted-hearth furnace with rabble-actuating devices projecting through the slot and means adapted to close the slot consisting of overlapping flexible plates.

6. In an ore-roasting furnace, a slotted hearth and means adapted to support the same above the surface of the ground consisting of arches and transverse beams, the arches resting upon the beams, and columns adapted to support said beams, and means, attached to said beams, adapted to maintain thealinement of the slot. z

7. A device consisting of superimposed oreroasting furnaces having a slotted lower hearth and a slotted roof to the upper furnace.

8. In a device for roasting ores, a furnacechamber havinga slot intermediate of its sides and plates or gates to the slot adapted to swing transversely thereof, and a traveling rabble device adapted to passthrough the slot.

9. In an ore-roasting furnace, a slotted. hearth supported upon arches and means.

adapted to close the slot. y l

10. In an ore-roasting furnace, a slotted hearth supported upon arches and means for closing the slot consisting of overlapping plates.

11. In an ore-roasting furnace, a slotted hearth supported upon arches and means adapted to close the slot consistingof Hexible overlapping plates. v 12. A furnace for roasting ores comprising a plurality of superimposed slotted-hearth furnaces, rabbles adapted to travel above the hearths to stir the ore thereon, traveling bands adapted to effect the travel of the rabbles or stirrers therein, the parallel stretches of which travel in substantially the same vertical plane and means for closing the slots.

13. A furnace for roasting ores comprising a plurality of superimposed slotted-hearth fur- 14. A furnace for roasting ores comprising a plurality of superimposed slotted-hearth furnaces, rabbles adaptedl to travel above the hearths to stir the ore thereon, traveling bands adapted to effect the travel of the rabbles or stirrers therein, the parallel stretches of which travel in substantially the same vertical plane and means for closing the slots consisting of eXible overlapping plates.

15. A device consisting of superimposed ore-roasting furnaces having a slotted lower hearth anda slotted roof tothe superimposed furnace and means adapted to close the slots.

16. A device consisting ,of superimposed ore-roasting furnaces having a slotted lower hearth and a slotted roof to the superimposed hearths and means adapted to close the slots consisting of overlapping plates.

17. A device consisting of superimposed ore-roasting furnaces having a slotted lower hearth and a slotted roof to the superimposed furnace and means adapted to close the slots consisting of overlapping iieXible plates.

18. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a plurality of hearths one above the other, each provided with a roof, one of the hearths and one of the roofs being each provided with a slot and rabble devices adapted to project through said slots', and means adapted to transfer said devices from one slot to the other.

19. An ore-roastingfurnace comprising a plurality of hearths one above the other, each provided with a roof, one of the hearths and one of the roofs being slotted longitudinally and means adapted to close the slots.

20. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a plurality of hearths one above the other, each provided with a roof, one of the hearths and one of the roofs being slotted longitudinally and means adapted to close the slots consisting of overlapping plates.

21. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a plurality of hearths one above the other, each provided with a roof, one of the hearths and one of the roofs being slotted longitudinally and means adapted to close the slots consisting of flexible overlapping plates.

22. An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of superimposed hearths, each having a slot substantially central of the Width of the furnace with rabble-actuating devices projecting through said slots and means for transferring the rabble-actuating devices from one slot to another and means adapted to close said s ots.

23. An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of superimposed hearths, each havingv a slot substantially central of the width of the TOO rio

furnace with rabble-actuating devices projecting through said slots and means for transferring the rabble-actuating devices from one slot to another and means adapted to close said slots consisting of overlapping plates.

24. An ore-roasting' furnace having a plurality of superimposed hearths, each having a slot substantially central of the width of the furnace with rabble-actuating devices projecting through said slots and means for-transferring the rabble-actuating devices from one slot to another and means adapted to close said slot consisting of flexible overlapping plates.

25. A multiplicity of slotted-hearth oarroasting furnaces with rabble-actuating' devices projecting through the slots and means for transferring said devices from one slot to.

another and means for closing the slots.

26. A multiplicity of slotted-hearth oreroasting furnaces with rabble-actuating devices projecting through the slots and means for transferring said devices from one slot to another and means for closing the slots consisting of overlapping plates.

27. A plurality of slotted -hearth ore-roasting furnaces with rabble -actuating devices projecting through the slots, means adapted to transfer said devices fromone slot to another and means adapted to close the slots consisting of overlapping flexible plates.

28. An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of ore-roasting chambers provided with alternate slotted roofs and slotted hearths, rabbles or stirrers therein and means adapted to operate the rabbles or stirrers.

29. An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of ore-roasting chambers provided with alternate slotted roofs and slottedv hearths, rabbles or stirrers therein and means adapted to operate the rabbles or stirrers and means for closing the slots.

30."An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of ore-roasting chambers provided with alternate slotted roofs and slotted hearths, rabbles or stirrers therein and means adapted to operate the rabbles or stirrers and means adapted to close the slots consisting of overlapping plates.

31. An ore-roasting furnace having a plurality of ore-roasting chambers provided with alternate slotted roofs and slotted hearths, rabbles or stirrers therein and means adapted to operate the rabbles or stirrers and means adapted to close the slots consisting of flexible overlapping plates.

32. A roasting-furnace comprising a hearth resting upon supports to permit free circulation of air beneath the ioor of said hearth, a longitudinal slot in said hearth and means for closing the slot.,Y

33. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a hearth elevated above the surface of the ground whereby an unconfined air-space beneath the floor of the hearth is provided, a longitudinally-disposed slot in said licor, a rabbling mechanism within the furnace, a carrier outside the furnace and an arm extending through the slot and connecting the carrier and rabbling mechanism.

34. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a hearth elevated above the surface of the ground, whereby an unconfined air-space beneath the Hoor of the hearth is provided, a longitudinally-disposed slot in said floor, a rabbling mechanism within the furnace, a carrier outside the furnace, an arm extending through the slot and connecting the carrier and rabbling mechanism and gates in the slot so arranged as to give wayto the passing arm and automatically resume their normal position after the arm passes.

35. In a device for roasting ores, a furnace formed of brick or the like and a metallic frame or skeleton transversely tying the brick structure, and having legs or columns which raise the brick structure above the ground, said frame having transverse members beneath the furnace at intervals in the length of the furnace and arches between and-supported by the transverse members supporting the hearth.

36. In an ore-roasting furnace, a hearth or ioor divided longitudinally into two sections, slightly separated to form a slot, a metallic A frame or skeleton tying the furnace, and transverse bearing members of the metallic frame adapted to support the hearth-sections.

37, In an ore-roasting furnace having rabbles, a hearth longitudinally slotted intermediate of its sides, traveling means projecting through the slot adapted to effect the travel of the rabbles and means adapted to reduce the width of the slot consisting of plates or the like lying across the slot in the path of the rabble-moving means and attached by one edge at one side of the slot, so arranged that the free edge is moved transversely across the slot by the traveling rabble-moving means.

38. An ore-roasting furnace comprising a roasting-chamber and hearth, a longitudinallydisposed' slot in the hearth, a rabble mechanism in the furnace, a carrier outside the roasting-chamber, an arm extending through the slot connecting the rabbles with the carrier andgates in the slot so arranged as to give way tothe passing arm and automatically resume their normal position after the arm has passed.

39. In a device for roasting ores, a furnacechamber constructed of brick or the like and having a slot intermediate of its sides, rabbling devices adapted to pass into and through said furnace, tracks for the rabbling devices, and a metallic skeletonor frame suitably arranged to'form the support and attachment for the rabble-tracks and slot independently of the brick structure, whereby the tracks and slot are maintained in alinement.

40. In a device for roasting ores, a furnace- IOO YIOS

IlO

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chamber constructed of brick or the like haV- ently ofthe brick structure,wl1e1eby the tracks ingI a hearltli slottedlinternediate of its sidesi and slot are maintained in alinement.

rabb ingc evices ac aptec to pass into anc f through said furnace, tracks for the rabbling VILLIAM H' SMrlH' devices, and a metallic skeleton or` frame suit- Witnesses: ably arranged to forrn the support and attacli- W. K. WHITE, ment for the rabble-tracks and slot independ- JESSE R. EOFF. 

